Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction - Apr 28, 1967 - HISTORY.com Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction Share this: Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction Author Muhammad Ali refuses Army induction URL Publisher A+E Networks On April 28, 1967, boxing champion Muhammad Ali refuses to be inducted into the U.S. Army and is immediately stripped of his heavyweight title. Ali, a Muslim, cited religious reasons for his decision to forgo military service. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 14, 1942, the future three-time world champ changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after converting to Islam. He scored a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and made his professional boxing debut against Tunney Husaker on October 29, 1960, winning the bout in six rounds. On February 25, 1964, he defeated the heavily favored bruiser Sonny Liston in six rounds to become heavyweight champ.

On April 28, 1967, with the United States at war in Vietnam, Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces, saying “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” On June 20, 1967, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He stayed out of prison as his case was appealed and returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, knocking out Jerry Quarry in Atlanta in the third round. On March 8, 1971, Ali fought Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century” and lost after 15 rounds, the first loss of his professional boxing career. On June 28 of that same year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction for evading the draft. At a January 24, 1974, rematch at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Ali defeated Frazier by decision in 12 rounds.

On October 30 of that same year, an underdog Ali bested George Forman and reclaimed his heavyweight champion belt at the hugely hyped “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire, with a knockout in the eighth round. On October 1, 1975, Ali met Joe Frazier for a third time at the “Thrilla in Manila” in the Philippines and defeated him in 14 rounds. On February 15, 1978, Ali lost the title to Leon Spinks in a 15-round split decision. However, seven months later, on September 15, Ali won it back. In June 1979, Ali announced he was retiring from boxing. He returned to the ring on October 2, 1980, and fought heavyweight champ Larry Holmes, who knocked him out in the 11th round. After losing to Trevor Berbick on December 11, 1981, Ali left the ring for the final time, with a 56-5 record. He is the only fighter to be heavyweight champion three times. In 1984, it was revealed Ali had Parkinson’s disease.

Related Videos April 28, 1967: Muhammad Ali causes uproar by refusing to be drafted into US Army - BT April 28, 1967: Muhammad Ali causes uproar by refusing to be drafted into US Army World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his titles and later given a prison sentence for refusing the Vietnam draft on conscientious grounds. Share this Print this story Undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was stripped of his titles and caused uproar in America on this day in 1967 when he refused to be drafted into the US Army. Ali had already avoided the draft in 1964 when he failed a psychological test, but the escalation of the Vietnam War had caused the army to lower its qualifying standards. In the meantime the boxer had become a Muslim, changing his name from Cassius Clay and joining the Nation of Islam just days after stunning the sport by winning the world title from Sonny Liston. He would go on to cite religious reasons for his decision to forgo military service. On April 28, after three appeals for exemption were denied, Ali appeared for army induction in Houston with 11 other men.

Having passed all the qualifying tests, he refused when called to do so to take the one step forward that would symbolise his entry into the armed forces. Ali’s behaviour came as no surprise. A week before appearing in Houston, he told reporters in his home town of Louisville, Kentucky, that he planned to not accept induction in military service. "Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?", he said. Two months later, a jury took just 20 minutes to convict Ali of draft evasion. He was given a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine; he was stripped of his passport and his heavyweight title, and would be banned from fighting in the United States. Though Ali would remain out of jail on posted bail while his case was being appealed, he would not fight again until October 1970. The following year, the US Supreme Court overturned his conviction in a unanimous 8-0 ruling. What did you make of Ali’s refusal to join the army in 1967? Did your opinion of him change later?

Let us know in the comments section below. Muhammad Ali – Did you know? Ali was born Cassius Clay Jr, on 17 January 1942 in Louisville. He took up boxing after having his new bicycle stolen, in the desire to catch the culprit and teach him a lesson. Ali was a highly successful amateur, winning two national Golden Gloves titles and representing the USA at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he won gold in the light-heavyweight division. Turning professional immediately afterwards, Ali won his first 19 bouts and in February 1964 earned the chance to face Liston, who was considered one of the most brutal and dangerous heavyweight champions in history. Ali forced him to retire before the seventh round (below). Ali announced the rejection of his ‘slave name’ within days and joined the Nation of Islam, which was widely seen in America as being a subversive and extremist organisation. His bold statements on black rights would make him a divisive figure in the US in the mid-1960s.

Ali’s managers claimed that in the run-up to his draft board, the US government had tried to arrange a deal whereby Ali would join the Army but simply be asked to fight exhibition matches for the troops. The government would deny such a deal was ever offered. In a statement distributed after his refusal to join up, Ali said: "I have searched my conscience and I find I cannot be true to my belief in my religion by accepting such a call." His famous personal quote was: “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong”. The Supreme Court found Ali met the three standards for conscientious objector status: that he opposed war in any form, that his beliefs were based on religious teaching and that his objection was sincere. He returned to boxing in 1971 and would sensationally recapture the world title three years later, knocking out reigning champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Share this Muhammad Ali refuses to fight in Vietnam war: From the archive, 27 April 1967 | From the Guardian | The Guardian Share on Messenger Close Boxing authorities in America today stripped Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) of his world heavyweight title and suspended his boxing licence after he had refused to be inducted into the United States Army. Clay had stood in line with 11 other men being called up in a room in the old Post Office building in Houston, Texas, and heard his Black Muslim name called by the officer administering the oath. Clay did not move. Another officer walked up to him and said: "Mr Ali, will you accompany me, please ?" Clay did not speak, but followed him out of the room to be given a warning of the consequences of his refusal. He was taken back into the room and given a second chance to take the oath, but he again refused. He then signed a statement to that effect. Soon after he left the centre, to be mobbed by well-wishers, the New York Boxing Commission, the World Boxing Association, and the Texas Boxing Commission withdrew their recognition of him as champion. Reading on mobile?

Click here to watch video At the same time a spokesman for the Justice Department said it would decide whether to ask a federal grand jury for an indictment. If an indictment were returned, Clay would have to go for trial. He could face a long prison sentence. Clay issued a statement saying: "It is in the light of my consciousness as a Muslim minister and my own personal convictions that I take my stand in rejecting the call to be inducted. I do so with the full realisation of its implications. I have searched my conscience. "I had the world heavyweight title not because it was given to me, not because of my race or religion, but because I won it in the ring. Those who want to take it and start a series of auction-type bouts not only do me a disservice, but actually disgrace themselves... Sports fans and fair-minded people throughout America would never accept such a title-holder." The New York Boxing Commission, which suspended his licence, said his refusal to enter the service was detrimental to the best interests of boxing. [Muhammad Ali was sentenced to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, though he remained out on bail while he appealed.

He was stripped of his passport and his heavyweight title and banned from fighting in the US. Ali returned to boxing in 1970 and his conviction was reversed in 1971] What Happened in 1967 inc. Pop Culture, Prices Significant Events, Key Technology and Inventions The Federal Minimum Wage is increased to $1.40 an hour Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Sterling Average House Price 3,840 Gallon of Petrol 5 shillings 2 pence or 27 new pence MK II Ford Cortina 749 1967 1967 the continued presence of American troops increased further and a total of 475,000 were serving in Vietnam and the peace rallies were multiplying as the number of protesters against the war increased. The Boxer Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing world championship for refusing to be inducted into the US Army. In the middle east Israel also went to war with Syria, Egypt and Jordan in the six day war and when it was over Israel controlled and occupied a lot more territory than before the war.

Once again in the summer cities throughout America exploded in rioting and looting the worst being in Detroit on July 23rd where 7000 national Guard were bought in to restore law and order on the streets. In England a new type of model became a fashion sensation by the name of Twiggy and mini skirts continued to get shorter and even more popular with a short lived fashion being paper clothing. Also during this year new Discotheques and singles bars appeared across cities around the world and the Beatles continued to reign supreme with the release of "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band" album, and this year was also coined the summer of love when young teenagers got friendly and smoked pot and grooved to the music of "The Grateful Dead. Jefferson Airplane and The Byrds". The movie industry moved with the times and produced movies that would appeal to this younger audience including "The Graduate" Bonnie and Clyde" and "Cool Hand Luke" . TV shows included "The Fugitive" and "The Monkees" and color television sets become popular as the price comes down and more programmes are made in color.

Israel --- Six Day War Six Day War Arab Forces attack Israel beginning the Yom Kippur War when Arab forces were defeated and Israel took possession of additional territory More Information and Timeline For The Six Day War 1. 1967 2. May 22nd and 23rd Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser closes the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping 3. Israel declares any closure of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping considered an act of war 4. Six Day Starts on June 5th and ends on June 10th 5. June 5th Israel launches Operation Focus an opening air strike on airfields around the Sinai Peninsula at the start of the Six-Day War 6. June 5th Israeli aircraft destroy 338 Egyptian aircraft over 3/4 of the Egyptian Air Force on the ground 7. June 5th Attacks by Israeli aircraft on Syrian, and Iraqi fields result in similar results 8. June 6th Further attacks by Israeli aircraft on Jordanian airfields leave Israel guaranteed air superiority 9.

June 6th to June 10th Using it's air superiority Israel troops take control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, 10. June 6th to June 10th Using it's air superiority Israel troops take control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, 11. June 6th Oil embargo is placed by Arab Countries involved in war on countries supporting Israel 12. June 9th to June 10th Using it's air superiority Israel troops take control of the Golan Heights from Syria. 13. June 11th Following success with the objectives Israel agrees to a cease fire. 14. Following Six Day War Egypt enforces an Egyptian blockade of the Suez Canal which lasted till June 5th 1975 making the Suez Canal closed to all shipping and trapping fourteen cargo ships known as "The Yellow Fleet" which remained trapped in the canal for over eight years 15.

September 1st The Khartoum Resolution issued which effectively ends the oil embargo when Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Libya begin exporting oil to the west Like many wars the rights and wrongs depend on those recording the details and The Six Day War is no different with two distinct views "Preemptive strike by Israel" or an "unprovoked attack" . But the one thing history can not dispute is the military success of the operation for the Third Arab-Israeli War. United States --- Improved Car Safety Design Following the publication of Ralph Nader's book "unsafe at any speed" puts pressure on the government and the automobile industry to improve safety in cars. More Information and Timeline For Improved Safety In US Cars 1. 1965 Ralph Nader publishes his book "unsafe at any speed" detailing major safety design issues with American Cars 2. 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is passed 3. 1966 U.S. established the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) with automobile safety one of its purposes 4. 1966 GM President James Roche forced to appear before a United States Senate subcommittee of the Department of Transportation (DOT) 5.

1967 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) created Due to the publication of Ralph Nader's book "unsafe at any speed" and a significant rise in the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act gave the federal government rights to set and administer new safety standards for motor vehicles and road traffic safety, over the next few years these standards included head rests, energy-absorbing steering wheels, shatter-resistant windshields, and safety belts United States - Thurgood Marshall Confirmed Thurgood Marshall becomes the first black justice on the Supreme Court. More Information for Thurgood Marshall 1. The United States Senate confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice with a 69 to 11 vote during August of 1967. 2. Marshall had been appointed to the Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson during June of the same year. 3. Marshall had previously been known as the successful litigator in the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education. 4.

He was later appointed by President Kennedy to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and then became Solicitor General under Johnson before being nominated as a Supreme Court Justice. 5. Thurgood Marshall remained on the Court for 24 years until his retirement in 1991. United Kingom --- Pirate Radio Stations The Marine, etc., Broadcasting (Offences) Act came into effect outlawing the Pirate Radio Stations who had gained a massive following among the youth. More Information and Timeline For Pirate Radio Stations 1. 1964 March 24th Radio Caroline is the first Pirate Radio Station that starts broadcasting from MV Caroline off the Essex coast 2. 1964 Radio London starts broadcasting from MV Galaxy off the Essex coast 2. 1964 Radio London starts broadcasting from MV Galaxy off the Essex coast 3. 1967 Prior to the introduction of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act twenty-one pirate radio stations were broadcasting to an estimated daily audience of 10 to 15 million 4. 1967 The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act came into effect outlawing the Pirate Radio Stations 5.

1967 Following the popularity of the Pirate Radio Stations with British teens and no rock music offerings from the BBC they re-organized BBC Radio offering into BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4. Webmasters note, Many of the mostly popular DJ's from the pirate radio stations joined the newly created BBC Radio 1 including Tony Blackburn, Emperor Rosko and Ed Stewart, The 1970s and 80s did see a resurgence of land based pirate radio and There are still more than 100 pirate radio stations operating in the UK mostly in inner city areas United Kingdom -- SS Torrey Canyon Spill The SS Torrey Canyon supertanker ran aground off the South of England March 18th of 1967, causing a large oil spill and ecological disaster. The tanker ran aground between the Land�s End and Scilly Isles and leaked over 100,000 tons of crude oil into the sea. The oil reached the coasts of the Channel Islands and France and the oil slick spanned about 270 square miles. The spill was the worst in history at that time and prompted tighter international regulations for ships.

United States - Lunar Orbiter 3 NASA launches the Lunar Orbiter 3 Space Craft. More Information for Lunar Orbiter 3 NASA launches the Lunar Orbiter 3 spacecraft during February of 1967. The main purpose of the Lunar Orbiter 3 mission was to photograph the surface of the Moon in order to find and analyze potential safe landing sites for future missions in the Surveyor and Apollo programs. The cone-shaped craft also measured radiation and micro-meteoroid impact. The mission lasted for a total of 264 days and it ended in October after taking 149 medium resolution and 477 high resolution photographs. Gibraltar holds referendum on staying with Britain or joining Spain More Information and Timeline for Gibraltar Referendum The territory of Gibraltar holds a referendum on whether or not to stay with Great Britain or join Spain on September 10th, 1967. An overwhelming majority of the citizens of Gibraltar voted in favor of keeping British sovereignty with 99% in favor and a 95% voter turnout. The territory had been under British control since 1713 and was an important naval point for Britain since it borders where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Mediterranean Sea.

By 1981, Gibraltar residents were granted British citizenship and the territory was soon able to self-govern. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of rock's most acclaimed albums. More Information for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The popular rock band The Beatles release the experimental concept album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" during June of 1967. The band had just declared an end to their touring and as the freedom to record whatever they wanted set in, they set out to collaborate on their eighth album. They spent more time than they ever had before recording this album and focused on experimenting with sound and lyrics in a way that they had not been able to do while touring. Thought of by many as the definitive Beatles album it was considered one of their best at the time of its release and featured such songs as "With a Little Help from My Friends," "A Day in the Life," and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." Canada -- Expo 67 in Montreal 1. Expo 67 was held in Montreal, Canada and began in April of 1967. 2.

The International and Universal Exposition, also known as Expo 67, ends in October of 1967. 3. To create the 900 acre site, Montreal built new islands and added to existing islands on the St. Lawrence river, where they then built the 90 pavilions. 4. The expo had 62 participating nations and had over 50 million visitors, making it the most successful World�s Fair of the 20th century. 5. After it ended, it continued as an exhibition entitled �Man and his World� which lasted from 1968 to 1984. Nuclear Space Weapons Treaty is ratified by World Powers Popular Culture 1967 Monterey International Pop Music Festival in California features some of the 60's Icons including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, The Steve Miller Band, Simon & Garfunkel and the Grateful Dead Evel Knievel jumps his motorcycle over 16 cars lined up in a row. Evel Knievel fails in his attempt to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas The Beatles release Sgt.

Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of rock's most acclaimed albums. The Beatles release "Magical Mystery Tour" LP The Beatles release the double A-sided single with Penny Lane on one side and "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the other side. John Lennon's gets his psychedelic painted Rolls Royce delivered Elvis Presley Marries Priscilla on May 1st Premiere of the musical Hair Barbara Streisand performs in Central Park before 135,000 Otis Reading dies in a plane crash aged 26 Carrol Shelby Mustang GT-500 Fastback was released The Musical "Hair" opens off-Broadway. Popular Films Australia -- Prime Minister -- Harold Holt -- Till 19 December Australia -- Prime Minister -- John McEwen -- From 19 December Brazil -- President -- Castelo Branco -- Till 15 March Brazil -- President -- Costa e Silva -- From 15 March Canada -- Prime Minister -- Lester B.

Pearson -- China -- Chairman of the People's Republic of China -- Liu Shaoqi -- France -- President -- Charles de Gaulle -- Germany -- Chancellor -- Kurt Georg Kiesinger -- India -- Prime Minister -- Indira Gandhi -- Italy -- Prime Minister -- Aldo Moro -- Japan -- Prime Minister -- Eisaku Sato -- Mexico -- President -- Gustavo Diaz Ordaz -- Russia / Soviet Union -- First Secretary of the CPSU -- Leonid Brezhnev -- South Africa -- Prime Minister -- Balthazar Johannes Vorster -- United States -- President -- Lyndon B. Johnson -- United Kingdom -- Prime Minister -- Harold Wilson -- Clay Refuses Army Oath; Stripped of Boxing Crown Clay Refuses Army Oath; Stripped of Boxing Crown By ROBERT LIPSYTE ouston, April 28--Cassius Clay refused today, as expected, to take the one step forward that would have constituted induction into the armed forces. There was no immediate Government action. Although Government authorities here foresaw several months of preliminary moves before Clay would be arrested and charged with a felony, boxing organizations instantly stripped the 25-year- old fighter of his world heavyweight championship.

"It will take at least 30 days for Clay to be indicted and it probably will be another year and a half before he could be sent to prison since there undoubtedly will be appeals through the courts," United States Attorney Morton Susman said. Statement Is Issued Clay, in a statement distributed a few minutes after the announcement of his refusal, said: "I have searched my conscience and I find I cannot be true to my belief in my religion by accepting such a call." He has maintained throughout recent unsuccessful civil litigation that he is entitled to draft exemption as an appointed minister of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, the so- called Black Muslin sect. Clay, who prefers his Muslin name of Muhammad Ali, anticipated the moves against his title in his statement, calling them a "continuation of the same artificially induced prejudice and discrimination" that had led to the defeat of his various suits and appeals in Federal courts, including the Supreme Court. Hayden C. Covington of New York, Clay's lawyer, said that further civil action to stay criminal proceedings would be initiated. If convicted of refusal to submit to induction, Clay is subject to a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Mr.

Covington, who has defended many Jehovah's Witnesses in similar cases, has repeatedly told Clay during the last few days, "You'll be unhappy in the fiery furnace of criminal proceedings but you'll come out unsinged." As a plaintiff in civil action, the Negro fighter has touched on such politically and socially explosive areas as alleged racial imbalance on local Texas draft boards, alleged discriminatory action by the Government in response to public pressure, and the rights of a minority religion to appoint clergymen. Full-Time Occupation As a prospective defendant in criminal proceedings, Clay is expected to attempt to establish that "preaching and teaching" the tenets of the Muslims is a full-time occupation and that boxing is the "avocation" that financially supports his unpaid ministerial duties. Today, Clay reported to the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station on the third floor of the Federally drab United States Custom House a few minutes before 8 A.M., the ordered time. San Jacinto Street, in downtown Houston, was already crowded with television crews and newsmen when Clay stepped out of a taxi cab with Covington, Quinnan Hodges, the local associate counsel, and Chauncey Eskridge of Chicago, a lawyer for the Rev.

Martin Luther King, as well as for Clay and others. Half a dozen Negro men, apparently en route to work, applauded Clay and shouted: "He gets more publicity than Johnson." Clay was quickly taken upstairs and disappeared into the maw of the induction procedure for more than five hours. Two information officers supplied a stream of printed and oral releases throughout the procedure, including a detailed schedule of examinations and records processing, as well as instant confirmation of Clay's acceptable blood test and the fact that he had obeyed Muslim dietary strictures by passing up the ham sandwich included in the inductees' box lunches. Such information, however, did not forestall the instigation, by television crews, of a small demonstration outside the Custom House. During the morning, five white youngsters from the Friends World Institute, a nonaccredited school in Westbury, L.I., who had driven all night from a study project in Oklahoma, and half a dozen local Negro youths, several wearing Black Power buttons, had appeared on the street. Groups Use Signs Continuous and sometimes insulting interviewers eventually provoked both groups, separately, to appear with signs. The white group merely asked for the end of the Vietnam war and greater efforts for civil rights.

The Negro eventually swelled into a group of about two dozen circling pickets carrying hastily scrawled, "Burn, Baby, Burn" signs and singing, "Nothing kills a nigger like too much love." A few of the pickets wore discarded bedsheets and table linen wound into African-type garments, but most were young women dragged into the little demonstration on their lunch hours. There was a touch of sadness and gross exaggeration throughout the most widely observed noninduction in history. At breakfast this morning in the Hotel America, Clay had stared out a window into a dingy, cold morning and said: "Every time I fight it gets cold and rainy. Then dingy and cool, no sun in sight nowhere." He had shrugged when Mr. Hodges had showed him an anonymously sent newspaper clipping in which a photograph of the local associate counsel had been marked "Houston's great nigger lawyer." Sadly, too, 22-year-old John McCullough, a graduate of Sam Houston State College, said: "It's his prerogative if he's sincere in his religion, but it's his duty as a citizen to go in. I'm a coward, too." 46 Called to Report Then Mr.

McCullough, who is white, went up the steps to be inducted. He was one of the 46 young men, including Clay, who were called to report on this day. For Clay, the day ended at 1:10 P.M. Houston time, when Lieut. Col. J. Edwin McKee, commander of the station, announced that "Mr. Muhammad Ali has just refused to be inducted." In a prepared statement, Colonel McKee said that notification of the refusal would be forwarded to the United States Attorney General's office, and the national and local Selective Service boards. This is the first administrative step toward possible arrest, and an injunction to stop it had been denied to Clay yesterday in the United States District Court here. Clay was initially registered for the draft in Louisville, where he was born. He obtained a transfer to a Houston board because his ministerial duties had made this city his new official residence. He had spent most of his time until last summer in Chicago, where the Muslin headquarters are situated, in Miami, where he trained, or in the cities in which he was fighting.

After Colonel McKee's brief statement, Clay was brought into a pressroom and led into range of 13 television cameras and several dozen microphones. He refused to speak as he handed out Xeroxed copies of his statement to selected newsmen, including representatives of the major networks, wire services and The New York Times. The statement thanked those instrumental in his boxing career as well as those who have offered support and guidance, including Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Muslims; Mohammed Oweida, Secretary General of the High Council for Islamic Affairs, and Floyd McKissick, president of the Congress of Racial Equality. The statement, in part, declared: "It is in the light of my consciousness as a Muslim minister and my own personal convictions that I take my stand in rejecting the call to be inducted in the armed services. I do so with the full realization of its implications and possible consequences. I have searched my conscience and I find I cannot be true to my belief in my religion by accepting such a call. "My decision is a private and individual one and I realize that this is a most crucial decision. In taking it I am dependent solely upon Allah as the final judge of these actions brought about by my own conscience.

"I strongly object to the fact that so many newspapers have given the American public and the world the impression that I have only two alternatives in taking this stand: either I go to jail or go to the Army. There is another alternative and that alternative is justice. If justice prevails, if my Constitutional rights are upheld, I will be forced to go neither to the Army nor jail. In the end I am confident that justice will come my way for the truth must eventually prevail. "I am looking forward to immediately continuing my profession. "As to the threat voiced by certain elements to 'strip' me of my title, this is merely a continuation of the same artificially induced prejudice and discrimination. "Regardless of the difference in my outlook, I insist upon my right to pursue my livelihood in accordance with the same rights granted to other men and women who have disagreed with the policies of whatever Administration was in power at the time. "I have the world heavyweight title not because it was 'given' to me, not because of my race or religion, but because I won it in the ring through my own boxing ability. "Those who want to 'take' it and hold a series of auction-type bouts not only do me a disservice but actually disgrace themselves.

I am certain that the sports fans and fair-minded people throughout America would never accept such a 'title-holder.'" Clay returned to his hotel and went to sleep after the day's activities. He is expected to leave the city, possibly for Washington, in the morning. Muhammad Ali refuses induction into the US Army | World History Project Apr 28 1967 Muhammad Ali refuses induction into the US Army In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-par. However, in early 1966, the tests were revised and Ali was reclassified as 1A. This classification meant he was now eligible for the draft and induction into the U.S. Army. This was especially important because the United States was engaged in the Vietnam War. When notified of this status, he declared that he would refuse to serve in the United States Army and publicly considered himself a conscientious objector. Ali stated that "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger.

We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers." Ali also famously said in 1966: "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me nigger." Rare for a heavyweight boxing champion in those days, Ali spoke at Howard University, where he gave his popular "Black Is Best" speech to 4,000 cheering students and community intellectuals after he was invited to speak at Howard by a Howard sociology professor, Nathan Hare, on behalf of the Black Power Committee, a student protest group. Appearing shortly thereafter for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces on April 28, 1967 in Houston, he refused three times to step forward at the call of his name. An officer warned him he was committing a felony punishable by five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Once more, Ali refused to budge when his name was called. As a result, he was arrested and on the same day the New York State Athletic Commission suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title. Other boxing commissions followed suit.

Muhammad Ali Stripped Of Title For Refusing To Join Army 45 Yrs Ago Today | News One Muhammad Ali Stripped Of Title For Refusing To Join Army 45 Yrs Ago Today Leave a comment 91 reads Muhammad Ali is known for being “The Greatest” by even the most novice of boxing fans. But few understand why, exactly, he was given that coveted title. SEE ALSO: Jeremiah Hill In Trouble Over ‘Joke’ To ‘Hijack Plane, Kill Obama’ Indeed, Ali was a man whose boxing skills were unmatched. He had one of the fastest jabs, arguable the best, in the history of the sport. His reflexes were akin to that of a pugilist thirty-pounds lighter. And his tenacious resolve to fight through adversity (He he fought through a broken jaw in a loss to Ken Norton) is match only by the greatest of sports Gods. But, it is his integrity as a man that solidifies his helm atop the boxing world. Want to Keep Up With NewsOne.com? LIKE Us On Facebook!

In 1967, at the height of his career, Ali was the World Boxing Association (WBA) Champion when he refused a call to serve in the United States Army. He was promptly stripped of his belt by the The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and the WBA as a result. Ali was arrested and found guilty of draft evasion. Edwin B. Dooley, chairman of NYSAC, was quoted by the New York Times as saying, “(Ali’s) refusal to enter the service is regarded by the commission to be detrimental to the best interests of boxing.” M. Robert Evans, president of the W.B.A., told The Times, “I feel that Muhammad Ali has defied the laws of the United States regarding selective service. His action today leaves me no alternative.” Ali, in true form, had this to say of his refusal to join Uncle Sam’s Army: “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong …No Viet Cong ever call me Nigger.” Watch Muhammad Ali Talk About Refusing To Join The U.S. Army Ali was sentenced to four years in prison, but was never imprisoned due to the active appeal of his conviction.

His case made it all the way up to the Supreme Court where the justices ruled in his favor . While he won the moral war, his legal battles kept him out of the ring for nearly four years. (He did, however, fight in 1970 against Jerry Quarry because the Atlanta Athletic Commission granted him a license to fight) Nearly four years out of the ring would have kept even the most gifted boxers outside of the ropes for good. But Ali was not merely a gifted fighter. He was “The Greatest.” Ali returned to action and lost a thrilling match against Joe Frazier in 1971. He rebounded with multiple victors in 1972 and eventually regained his title on October 30, 1974 when he beat George Foreman in the “Rumble In The Jungle.” That fight is considered one of the greatest sports events in the history of athletics. He retired in 1981 after losing to to up-and-coming fighter Trevor Berbick. In today’s sport’s culture where athletes seems to speak for nothing, Ali stood and spoke for everything and everyone that keeps America honest. He refused defend his country when it was not quite ready to fight for his rights.

He was unwilling to trade in his integrity for money and endorsements, something few superstar athletes of today would do. It is for this reason that we thank Muhammad Ali for standing up to America and making her better. Thank for being, “The Greatest.” SEE ALSO: 1967 History/Videos 1967 History/Videos Israel - 1967 - The Six-Day War 1967 Super Bowl Evel Knievel at Caesar's Palace The Graduate 1967 Show history for: Untitled Document 1967 the continued presence of American troops increased further and a total of 475,000 were serving in Vietnam and the peace rallies were multiplying as the number of protesters against the war increased, and the Boxer Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing world championship for refusing to be inducted into the US Army. In the middle east Israel also went to war with Syria, Egypt and Jordan in the six day war and when it was over Israel controlled and occupied a lot more territory than before the war.

Once again in the summer cities throughout America exploded in rioting and looting the worst being in Detroit where 7000 national Guard were bought in to restore law and order on the streets. In England a new type of model became a fashion sensation by the name of Twiggy and mini skirts continued to get shorter and even more popular with a short lived fashion being paper clothing. Also during this year new Discotheques and singles bars appeared across cities around the world and the Beatles continued to reign supreme with the release of "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band" album, and this year was also coined the summer of love when young teenagers got friendly and smoked pot and grooved to the music of "The Grateful Dead. Jefferson Airplane and The Byrds". The movie industry moved with the times and produced movies that would appeal to this younger audience including "The Graduate" Bonnie and Clyde" and "Cool Hand Luke" . TV shows included "The Fugitive" and "The Monkeys" and color television sets become popular as the price comes down and more programs are made in color.

Cost of Living 1967 How Much things cost in 1967 Yearly Inflation Rate USA 2.78% Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 905 Average Cost of new house $14,250.00 Average Income per year $7,300.00 Average Monthly Rent $125.00 Gas per Gallon 33 cents Average Cost of a new car $2,750.00 Movie Ticket $1.25 Parker Pen Set $11.95 What Events Happened in 1967 Six Day War Arab Forces attack Israel beginning the Yom Kippur War and forces are defeated and Israel takes possession of additional territory United Kingdom and Ireland apply officially for EEC membership Race Riots break out in a number of Cities in the United States Cleveland, Newark and Detroit Interracial Marriage is declared constitutional by The Supreme Court and barred Virginia and by implication other states from making interracial marriage a crime The first Rolling Stone Magazine is published The first Super Bowl Earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela - 240 died.

The Foot and Mouth epidemic in Britain is the worst this century and the British government has issued additional guidelines to help stop the spread of the disease including stopping all Horse Racing Suez Canal closed until 1975 Members of OPEC announced an oil embargo to those countries that supported Israel Sweden changes to driving on the right Following the publication of Ralph Nader's book "Unsafe at any Speed" puts pressure on the government and the automobile industry to improve safety in cars. Muhammad Ali is stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing induction into US army RMS Queen Mary - retired from service Francis Chichester arrives back in Plymouth after sailing round the world single-handed President Johnson asks for a 6 percent increase on taxes to support the Vietnam War Inflation costs of living range from 1.8% US to 5.8% New Zealand Military Coup in Greece and Colonel George Papadopoulos takes over Biafra proclaims its independence from Nigeria The People's Republic of China tests its first hydrogen bomb. Britain devalues the pound by lowering the exchange rate from $2.80 to $2.40 Ten of thousands of Vietnam War protesters march in Washington, D.C.

The tanker "Torrey Canyon" runs aground on rocks off Land's End causing an ecological disaster Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies signed by the United States and the Soviet Union Nuclear Space Weapons Treaty is ratified by World Powers Popular Culture 1967 Monterey International Pop Music Festival in California features some of the 60's Icons including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, The Steve Miller Band, Simon & Garfunkel and the Grateful Dead Evel Knievel jumps his motorcycle over 16 cars lined up in a row. The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of rock's most acclaimed albums. Elvis Presley Marries Priscilla Premiere of the musical Hair Barbara Streisand performs in Central Park before 135,000 Carrol Shelby Mustang GT-500 Fastback was released The Musical "Hair" opens off-Broadway. Popular Films A Man for All Seasons Thoroughly Modern Millie

Question: In April, 1967, what boxer was stripped of his title after refusing induction into the US Army?
Answer: Muhammed Ali